St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-17
WASHINGTON LETTER.

From our Regular Correspondent.
WAsnINGTON, Dec. 5, 1887.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 1887.
Probably your readers are not aware
of the immense quantities or mail mat
ter distributed throughout the country
by the Government at Washington. 10
give them some faint conception OF It's
magnitude, it is only necessary to men
ton the fact that the United States
mail sent out from the Interior Depart
ment alone, averages IN weight 5000
pounds daily. But, all told, the Gov
crumert perhaps distributes about 3d.
900 pounds daily, especially during the
season when "pubic documents" are
being scattered broadcast throughout
the land by members Of Congress who
do not wish their constituents to forget
them during their stay at the capital.
Perhaps another thing that few persons
except the losers themselves, ever think
of, is the amount of money lost III the
mails. Last year S21 GS7 was found in
dead letters, of which amount $23 ,639
was restored to the owners S6,612 thus
found could not he returned, and was
deposited in the Treasury to the credit
of the Government: likewise the sum
of =, 12l, the proceeds OF auction sales
of unclaimed packages OF merchandise,
found in the mails.
Postmaster General Villas is certainly
to be congratulated upon his mastery
and successful management of the great
DEPARTMENT committed to his charge,
for his annual report shows the most
gratifying results. The revenues of the
Department have gained over the pre-
ceding year nearly S4,S40,00O which may
be termed the high water mark, while
the disbursements increased but little
more than two million dollars; two
years since, under the Republican re-
glme, the deficiency was 100000. This
sum has been reduced nearly three
f0ulths under economical Democratic
administration, and if the present ratio
of reduction continues few months,
the deficiency will disappear entirely.
If the Democracy had done nothing
else to win the support and confidence
Of the country, their management OF
the public lands and of the postal at
fairs Of the nation entities the party to a
new lease of power. Both Secretary
FuirchlId and Comptroller Iurnholm
make two very important recommends
tons in their leports-the former urg-
Ing upon Congress the need OF tnactlng
Il fire proof hall for the better plOtec-
ton Of perlShable Government records,
the latter proposing to Congress the
thtltltttliil
COMPTROLLER is earnestly In favor tf his
scheme is shown by his sending Il letter
to each Congressman fully explaining
its provisions,
\ Treasury statement shows that for
the month OF November there was a net
increase of =, $50 ,GG1 in the circulation
and a net increase of >6,S11l, 46 in the
amount Of cash in the Treasury. Tie
increase III circulation WAS IN silver Ger
tltiCateS, gold coin, standard silver dol
lars, and subsidiary silver III the order
named.
Chief Justice Waite Of the United
States Supreme Cont, celebrated his
list birthday last week. Four Supreme
Justices-W ate, Field, Miller and Brad
Ity-could some time since have laid
aside the judicial robes aud retired on
salaries OF $4,000 each the balance of
their lives, yet these hale old men pre-
sent the rare and refreshing spectacle
of working every day, when they might
receive the very same pay Tor dong
nothing. Each Supreme Justice is en-
titled to a private secretary at 81, 800 a
year, and | believe all OF them avail
themselves of tue privilege except the
venerable Chief Justice who says such
an official attachment would only be in
his way.
Secretary Lamars age Che was GO last
Sept) is urged as Il serious objection by
some against his transfer to the Bench, |
as since the Court was organized, only |
two Justices Of that advanced age have |
been appointed. But Mr.. Lamar, his |
friends say, is good for ten years service. |
Washington is now crowded with the |
floating population who dance attend |
ance upon the coming and the going of |
Congress, and of course all such indi- |
viduals have some personal object in |
view. There are the lobbyists, male !
aud female, the office seekers OF both |
sexes, and great army of Cranks, crooks |
and adventures who are WOolng fame |
and fortune.
The deliberations of the Democratic
Caucus resulted, as you have seen by
about as have indicated in
this correspondence, though it is
much to be regretted that the excite
ment engendered i'll the canvass for
loorkeeper of the House precipitated Il
personal conflict between two of the
mem bers, which, after the passion of
the moment had passed, was honorably
md amicably adjusted.
1t is thought that Mr.. Lamar's nomi-
nation for Supreme Justice will be sent
% the Senate this week, but it is not
probable that he will assume the duties
IF the position until after the holidays,
Is there are many matters III the lnte-
'ior Department demanding his atten-
ion.